The Eisenhower Tree, one of the icons at Augusta National Golf Club, is no more.
The recent ice storms that have hit the course that hosts the Masters damaged the tree beyond repair and it had to be removed over the weekend.
“The loss of the EisenÂhower Tree is difficult news to accept,” said Billy Payne, chairman of Augusta National and the Masters. “We obtained opinions from the best arborists available and, unfortunately, were advised that no recovery was possible.
“We have begun deliberations of the best way to address the future of the 17th hole and to pay tribute to this iconic symbol of our history. Rest assured, we will do both appropriately.”
The Eisenhower Tree, some 210 yards from the Masters tee on the left side of the 17th fairway, was named for President Dwight D. Eisenhower, an avid golfer who was a member at Augusta National from 1948 until his death in 1969.
Ike, who was the commanding general of the Allied Invasion of Fortress Europe on D-Day–June 6, 1944–hit his golf ball into the tree so often that he campaigned to have it removed.
Jack Nicklaus, a six-time Masters champion who also hit into the tree on enough occasions that he said he wished Eisenhower had been able to get it removed, offered this eulogy:
“The Eisenhower Tree is such an iconic fixture and symbol of tradition at Augusta National. It was such an integral part of the game and one that will be sorely missed.
“Over the years, it’s come into play many, many times on the 17th hole. When I stood on the 17th tee, my first thought, always, was to stay away from Ike’s Tree. Period.
“I hit it so many times over the years that I don’t care to comment on the names I called myself and the names I might have called the tree. ‘Ike’s Tree’ was a kind choice.
“But looking back, Ike’s Tree will be greatly missed.”
Tiger Woods sustained left knee and achilles tendon injuries while hitting out of the pine straw below the Eisenhower Tree in the 2011 Masters and missed the next four months, including the U.S. Open at the Open Championship.
Tommy Aaron once hit a ball into the tree during the Masters and it didn’t come down. The next day, as Aaron was walking up the 17th fairway, a golf ball fell out of the tree and landed at his feet.
The Eisenhower Tree, a Loblolly Pine that was around 65 feet high, was estimated to be 100 to 125 years old.
